Trinity Swimming and Diving Teams Raise Money, Awareness for Cancer

Hartford, Conn. - The Trinity College Swimming and Diving Team will be participating in the "Hour of Power" on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 5:00 p.m. in honor of Carleton College swimmer, Ted Mullin, who fell victim in the fall of 2006 to sarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer.

So far, 88 Division III college swim teams across the country have agreed to participate, including all of the NESCAC schools, to raise awareness and contribute funds to sarcoma research.   Funds raised through this event support research at the University of Chicago, for the causes and treatment of sarcoma in young people.

Tomorrow's event follows the annual Swim Across America Ocean Mile Swim which took place on July 12, 2008.  This summer, 26 members of the Trinity Swimming and Diving team participated in the event at Nantasket Beach in Hull, Mass.  Trinity led all schools in funds raised at $13,645 contributing to a NESCAC total of $42,644.  Funds were committed to cancer research. 

First held on Nov. 7, 2006, the "Hour of Power" Relay included 15 teams, which together raised $11,000 for the Ted Mullin Fund for Sarcoma Research at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital. Last year, the number of participating teams climbed to 53, including 46 colleges and universities, raising over $43,000 for the Fund.

Funds will be contributed to the University of Chicago pediatric sarcoma research program, allowing collaborative efforts between clinicians and physician-scientists in the identification of the causes of sarcoma, at the most basic molecular and cellular levels. With a team of dedicated pediatric oncologists, orthopedists, and radiation therapists in place, the Ted Mullin Fund has enabled the University of Chicago to recruit Stephen X. Skapek, M.D., an expert in the study and treatment of sarcomas. Dr. Skapek and team aspire to translate new scientific discovery into improved therapies for cancer patients like Ted Mullin.

In 2007-2008, the Bantam men's squad finished 5-5 and the women finished 4-7 in dual meets.  Both coached by Kristen Noone (9th Season), the teams finished 10th in the NESCAC Men's Championships and 11th in the NESCAC Women's Championships in late February.